NASS commentary - Page 3

I personally watched and photographed the protection work for Gorbi,Teejay,Hoss and Nick as well as other dogs. These dogs all have outstanding bitework. As with all shows there were some dogs that failed.

Gayle, why the hackles up, darlin'?  I mentioned no names, dates, or places on purpose.  If the intent of my comment were to bring shame to the individual that I was alluding to, I would have posted the pictures for the world to see.  Thus your rant seems a bit out of place.  In fact your post has an oddly defensive tone. 

In fact, it's not clear what exactly you're barking about at all.  I would expect all responsible breeders working for the improvement of the breed would support having the same high standards for both working and show lines in the protection phase.  After all, if show dogs were to receive only a watered down version of the bitework, wouldn't you agree that it makes a mockery of the whole "working dog" concept? 

After it, it's not even necessary.  There are plenty of show dogs that can display excellent temperament, flashy obedience, and hard hitting bite work.  So why water it down for those who can't?  In fact, at one of the trials I attended this year a dog of your breeding was the only show dog to earn a Pronounced rating. 

As to your "challenge" I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit.  The Malinois is only 5 months old, so it'll be a while before she's ready for trial day.  LOL.  However, I'll promise you this:  when I do go to trail, and if I do fail, I promise not to post a bunch of excuses, and I will allow the judge to give the critique instead of heaping up a pile of flamboyant praise on my own dog myself. 

As to your "warning growl"... hmmm... perhaps, generally speaking... not mentioning any particulars...

... not the wisest of ideas to pick a fight with a trial photographer. 

Now go in peace, and let's get back to training dogs.  The fall weather is too fine to waste.

Yvette

huntshep, glad to hear some positive news! 

Do you have some pictures to post?  I went to the NASS results site but the pictures link only had the pictures organized by day, and seemed to be scrolling through them one at a time, without any identification of who was in the picture.  Or did I miss a selection menu somewhere to sort by dog?

I have never posted photos on this site so I am not sure if this will work. Here is a photo of Gorbi. /Users/huntshepherds/Desktop/IMG_1650.jpg

I dragged the photo to the reply and it did not work. If someone tells me how to post photos I will be very happy to post many photos.

huntshep, you can't drag and drop here.

Reply to topic, and in the message field, click on the button that looks like a yellow square with a mountain and moon. 

Then, chose the "upload" option.  Select your file and then hit "send to server button".

Once the picture is loaded, it will probably be very large unless the image quality is poor.  Resize the picture by entering "400" in one of the boxes of numbers to the left of the preview box.  That should post a picture of reasonable size.

Give that a try.  If it doesn't work, I can create some jpegs from a screen capture and then email them to you so you can see step by step.

Yvette

I will put the photos on my mac site and post them tomorrow.

I cruise this site once and a while.  I just got back from the NASS and I want to set the record straight on what went on there.  I have been to this and other similar shows in the past.  I have never seen such impressive quality before in the GSDs.  Over 75% of puppies and adults were GSDs I would be pleased to own.  There were almost no pronounced roach backs (a great improvement). Folks can be critical of the awarding of 10 VA's in the male working class, but this was definitely justified based on the unbelievably high quality overall.  Other similar shows one typically sees 2 or 3 very good males.  Here there were at least 25-27 superb males.  There was very little difference from the high V dogs to the top VA dogs.  I was very shocked at the very high quality that I have never seen before to this extent. I know that the German judge was personally shocked at this too and stated that he had expected much lower quality based on the spread out geography of the USA (which makes it hard to concentratte clubs and training).  I think that the WDA did a very good job putting the show on and I commend them for all their hard work.  I enjoyed the show site even though it had a few comprimises. Some of the numbers on the handlers were hard to read. Putting on such a show is a geat deal of work and an incredible challenge but the folks responsible including Dr. David Landau deserve a great deal of credit and appreciation.

I saw no spooks and a great deal of friendly solid temperament in the puppies and excellent, correct temperament in the adult working dogs.  Many had very good bitework.  In the ones that failed, it was probably due to a number of factors, most showing confusion and kept looking to the left the whole time as if they were distracted by distant traffic noise or high pitched machinery noise. There was something very distracting to the left side of the field and almost all kept looking in that direction as they came onto the field.  The helper for the females on the long raised and held his arm far too high (he was tall to start with), making it different than what they were used to. The helper on the short did not hide behind the blind properly for  a significant number. I was very impressed with the bitework of many of the working class males, especially Teejay von Wilhendorf (VA1) , Yash von der Bastille, Emilio vom Winnlock, Kuno vom Aspenhaus, E.T. von Sendling, Riccor von Salerno, Gorbi vom Kirchenwald (VA8), Hoss vom Hirmer Teich (VA2) and Yukon vom Trompetersprung.  These dogs were impressive in their bitework. Gorbi's bitework was particularly praiseworthy and his physical condition was excellent as was almost all the other adult males.  He never seemed to tire and is a very robust, powerful dog (I was impressed with his male type and strong, straight bone and absolutely correct proportions and angles, a very sound correct temperament. These traits also appeared in his progeny group.  I was also impressed with Teejay's progeny group. InGodds Albert's progeny group which was very large had great pigment and consistency and was impressive.  Hoss's progeny group was also impressive. It takes a great deal of work and the jumping of many near impossible hoops to get any winning dog (V or VA) to this point.  Truly amazing when you think about it. The exhibitors put their hearts and souls into training their dogs and it showed. Hat's off to all these folks who also displayed true sportsmanship during the show.

The most impressive bitework I have ever seen anywhere anytime (a true shock for many in the crowd) was the "rocket bitch" Margman Zeisel from Estonia (a sable Ghandi daughter, if I remember correctly).  This bitch literally shot accross the field on the long and hit the helper airbone at least the last 6-8 feet before he was even aware of it. A

The most impressive bitework I have ever seen anywhere anytime (a true shock for many in the crowd) was the "rocket bitch" Margman Zeisel from Estonia (a sable Ghandi daughter, if I remember correctly).  This bitch literally shot accross the field on the long and hit the helper airbone at least the last 6-8 feet before he was even aware of it. A full and hard bite as good as the best biting males and as good as any Profung champion.  Being that Ghandi carries the Mutz line, this along with superb training probably explains it. Hat's off to Margit Kuusman of Estonia for being willing to show everyone one of the greatest biting bitches in the world.

The best moving working males IMO were Santo von der Neuen Welt, Matscho vom Zellwaldrand, E.T. von Sendling, Teejay (VA1) and Gorbi (VA8).   Gorbi appears to be a big up and comer for the future IMO.

Bravo, Gayle, hats off to you for speaking your mind freely and honestly. Congratulations on a job well done with him. I will be well pleased if I have a fraction of your success in my future.

I last competed in the Seiger show in 2003 in the working class females and my V6 bitch was handler owner trained.

Unfortunately for me, my daughter lost my catalog with all my bitework notes. I do remember making notes on a "von winnloh" dog, ET von Sendling, and a few others (listed by Preston)for good bitework. I didn't make notes on Santo because I already knew he's a great dog, I bred to him last year.

I think if you're that interested in Seiger show results and commentary, you owe it to yourself to go see and form your own opinions. I believe I stated in another thread that everyone will see something different- YOu have to go to see if YOU find what YOU are looking for on a personal level. I know I did.